一只北极熊（ Ursus maritimus）患重症肌无力。

Myasthenia gravis in a polar bear (Ursus maritimus).

作者信息

Kenny David E, Baier Jeffery, Knightly Felicia, Steinheimer Daniel, Getzy David M, Shelton G Diane

机构信息

Denver Zoological Gardens, City Park, E. 2300 Steele Street, Denver, Colorado 80205-4899, USA.

出版信息

J Zoo Wildl Med. 2004 Sep;35(3):409-11. doi: 10.1638/03-034.

DOI:10.1638/03-034

PMID:15526902

Abstract

A 14.6-yr-old, female, multiparous polar bear (Ursus maritimus) acutely developed an apparent hind limb weakness. Physical examination and diagnostic tests including a hemogram, serum biochemistry, electrolytes, radiographs, and myelogram did not provide a definitive diagnosis. No improvement in condition was noted during 4 days of supportive care, and the bear was euthanized. An ovoid mass was present in the anterior mediastinum, and a thymoma was confirmed histologically. Compared with control polar bears, elevated serum acetylcholine receptor (AChR) antibodies (0.13 +/- 0.06 nmol/L vs. 0.86 nmol/L) were detected by immunoprecipitation radioimmunoassay, which is consistent with myasthenia gravis (MG) in other species. Although the AChR antibody test has not been validated in the polar bear, we are confident in the postmortem diagnosis of MG, which is commonly associated with thymoma in other species.

摘要

一只14.6岁的经产雌性北极熊（Ursus maritimus）突然出现明显的后肢无力症状。体格检查和包括血常规、血清生化、电解质、X光片和脊髓造影在内的诊断测试均未得出明确诊断。在4天的支持性治疗期间，病情未见改善，这只熊最终被实施安乐死。在前纵隔发现一个卵圆形肿块，组织学检查确诊为胸腺瘤。通过免疫沉淀放射免疫测定法检测发现，与对照北极熊相比，该熊血清中的乙酰胆碱受体（AChR）抗体升高（分别为0.13±0.06 nmol/L和0.86 nmol/L），这与其他物种的重症肌无力（MG）相符。尽管AChR抗体检测在北极熊中尚未得到验证，但我们对MG的尸检诊断有信心，因为在其他物种中MG通常与胸腺瘤有关。